Toronto Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos said he confronted Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh during the fourth inning of Saturday's game because he didn't appreciate the player relaying pitches from second base.
Berríos and Raleigh exchanged words, which led to the benches clearing.
(Video source: MLB.com)
"I don't react that way very often," Berríos said following the 8-4 loss in 12 innings, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. "I'm a quiet and chill guy. But when some people are trying to fight with us in the field, I don't respect that, I don't like that.
"I was trying to (stand) up there for myself but also for my teammates. And I see support of my teammates today and that's (who we are). We are family here and when we go out, we go out all together."
The 30-year-old added he doesn't want opposing hitters to have any sort of advantage.
"It's a war and I will fight for that," Berrios said, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.
Meanwhile, Raleigh denied he was relaying pitches to Seattle's dugout.
"They thought I was relaying. I wasn't," the 28-year-old said, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. "I mean, if you just look at the results, Rowdy (Tellez) was way off-balance (during his at-bat). I didn't have the pitches. But that's just how it is. I'd want my pitchers doing the same thing if somebody thought they were tipping."
This isn't the first time Raleigh has made headlines after an issue with the Blue Jays. In April 2024, he said a lot of guys in baseball have beef with Toronto manager John Schneider.
Raleigh has owned the Blue Jays over his career. He entered Saturday's contest with nine homers and a 1.001 OPS across 18 regular-season games before going 2-for-3 in the victory, including a two-run double off Berríos.